Skip to main content

Compare any two UK universities

Select any two universities below and we'll generate an instant, data-driven comparison — rankings, salaries, student satisfaction, international community, and more.

B
Bath Spa University

Bath · Guardian UK #104

B
Birkbeck, University of London

London · QS World #354

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/8

Bath Spa

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

4/8

Birkbeck

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Bath Spa University and Birkbeck, University of London are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. Bath Spa University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, employment, scholarship; Birkbeck, University of London on established, international, graduate salary, courses.

Bath Spa University vs Birkbeck, University of London at a glance

Bath Spa University and Birkbeck, University of London both teach 29 subject areas, the largest being Sociology & Criminology, Media & Film Studies and Law. Bath Spa University offers 249 courses across 45 subject areas; Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,330 a year at Bath Spa University and £18,500 at Birkbeck, University of London, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,760 a year at Bath Spa University and £20,850 at Birkbeck, University of London: Bath Spa University is about £2,090 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 18 and Bath Spa University in 0. The widest gap is in Creative Writing: £18,000 three years after graduating from Bath Spa University, against £31,500 from Birkbeck, University of London. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Bath Spa University is higher in 11 and Birkbeck, University of London in 9, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.

—
QS World
#354
—
THE World
#301
#104
Guardian UK
—
1898
Established
1823
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Bronze

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Bath Spa University

Birkbeck, University of London

86.2%
85.1%

Satisfaction

Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)

£27,000
£32,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

85%
79.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

2.7%
12%

International

International student share

249
361

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

20
16

Scholarships

Number of scholarships

International Community

Where do international students come from?

Top source countries based on official HESA enrolment data. A higher diversity of nationalities often means a richer campus experience.

Bath Spa

40 countries · 2.7% international

  • 🇷🇴Romania25.3%
  • 🇮🇳India17.7%
  • 🇨🇳China9.5%
  • 🌐Bulgaria5.7%
  • 🇺🇸United States3.8%
VS

Birkbeck

60 countries · 12% international

  • 🇺🇸United States10.8%
  • 🇨🇳China9.7%
  • 🇮🇳India8.6%
  • 🇪🇸Spain4.8%
  • 🇮🇹Italy4.3%

Subjects

29 subjects you can study at both

Courses listed at each university in the subject, and the typical (median) international fee a year. Select a count to see the courses.

Bath Spa University

Birkbeck, University of London

Also taught at both: Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Literature, Marketing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Philosophy, Applied Psychology, Teacher Training, Biology, Environmental Sciences, Software Engineering, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Human Resource Management, Heritage & Conservation.

Only at Bath Spa University

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Fees

What it costs international students

The typical (median) international tuition fee a year across each university's published course fees. Individual courses vary; each course page shows its own fee.

Undergraduate

Bath Spa University
£18,330
Birkbeck, University of London
£18,500

About the same.

Postgraduate

Bath Spa University
£18,760
Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850

Bath Spa University is about £2,090 a year cheaper.

Outcomes

Graduate outcomes by subject

Median graduate salary three years after graduating, and student satisfaction with teaching, across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject. Source: Discover Uni.

Bath Spa University

Birkbeck, University of London

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£22,500
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    86%Satisfaction76%

  • Creative Writing

    £18,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£38,000
    93%Satisfaction72%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    81%Satisfaction96%

  • History

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    99%Satisfaction95%

  • Business Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    85%Satisfaction98%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    85%Satisfaction84%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £18,500Salary (3 years)No data
    83%Satisfaction75%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Bath Spa University

Explore It! Launch It! Grow It!

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Recruitment Office Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

MyWorld Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Global Horizons Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship

£2,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

Birkbeck, University of London

Bonnart Trust Sanctuary Scholarship

£18,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Cyril Taylor Scholarships

£15,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Breakspear scholarship

£12,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

MA History of Art scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Legal & General Sustainable Leaders Bursary

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Bath Spa University vs Birkbeck, University of London: common questions

Is Bath Spa University or Birkbeck, University of London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,330 a year at Bath Spa University and £18,500 at Birkbeck, University of London, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,760 a year at Bath Spa University and £20,850 at Birkbeck, University of London: Bath Spa University is about £2,090 a year cheaper. These are medians of the international tuition fees each university publishes for its courses; the fee for a specific course is on its course page.

What subjects can you study at both Bath Spa University and Birkbeck, University of London?

Both universities teach 29 subject areas: Sociology & Criminology, Media & Film Studies, Law, Business & Management (General), Creative Writing, Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, History, Business Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Psychology (General) and 17 more.

Is Bath Spa University or Birkbeck, University of London better for Sociology & Criminology?

Sociology & Criminology graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Bath Spa University, and £23,000 from Birkbeck, University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Bath Spa University and 88% at Birkbeck, University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Bath Spa University or Birkbeck, University of London offer more courses?

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and Bath Spa University lists 249 courses.

What can you study at Bath Spa University but not at Birkbeck, University of London?

Bath Spa University teaches 16 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Education Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Music, Childhood & Youth Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Fine Art, Architecture, Dance and 8 more.

What can you study at Birkbeck, University of London but not at Bath Spa University?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 40 subject areas that Bath Spa University does not, including Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Management, Biochemistry, Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Classical Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology and 32 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

B
Bath Spa University249 courses · 20 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
B
Birkbeck, University of London361 courses · 16 scholarshipsBrowse Courses